Gary Branson poses for a portrait at the Animal Law Center in Wheat Ridge on Dec. 3, 2012. Branson’s dog, Chloe, a chocolate lab mix, was killed after being tazed, shot five times in Commerce City on Nov. 24. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

There was no justice for Chloe. Commerce City police officer Robert Price got away with murdering Chloe, who was frightened, not vicious.

What frightens me is my dog Chelsea would have reacted the same way in the same situation. Chelsea, like Chloe, is not a pit bull. She is shy. She is a shepherd/chow mix.

I’m also concerned that law enforcement here in Colorado is not willing to learn about dog behavior.

It is so important for the police to understand that our pets are our family. They love us as much as or more than we love them. Dogs can’t communicate their intentions. It is up to law enforcement to take some responsibility in learning to deal with our furry family members. Shooting first and asking questions later is not the way to handle our pet dogs.

Vikki Strong, Centennial

This letter was published in the Oct. 7 edition.

For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here[2]. Follow eLetters[3] on Twitter to receive updates about new letters to the editor when they’re posted.

4 Comments To "No justice in the death of Chloe, dog shot by police in Adams County"

#1 Comment By Robtf777 On October 6, 2013 @ 5:36 pm

“There was no justice for Chloe. Commerce City police officer Robert
Price got away with murdering Chloe, who was frightened, not vicious.”
===============
The dog was not on trial.

The officer was.

The jury spoke……loud and clear.

The police officer received justice.

This was not a trial that sought revenge or “vigilante mob justice” for the actions of the officer……but that sought……justice…..for the one ON TRIAL.

The jury weighed the evidence……looked at the facts……and apparently decided that his actions were either NOT criminal…..or his guilt could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt……which is the standard judges and juries must abide by…….

………..and NOT the “opinions” of people who write Letters and Editorials.

To those who disagree……the next time you get a jury summons notice……try not to get out of it……do your best to actually get on a jury……and let the fate of a defendant be in your hands.

In most cases……being a GOOD member of a jury……is not has easy as one thinks…….because your decision and the decision of the jury……actually effects people……like the accused…….who ALSO seeks justice.

#2 Comment By holyreality On October 8, 2013 @ 11:31 am

While teaching cops how not to shoot dogs, they also should learn how not to shoot husbands, sons, uncles, and family friends when responding to a call.

#3 Comment By Paula Marie On October 10, 2013 @ 4:00 am

The police seem to be getting way too “gun happy” in general and it is a frightening new phenomenon; I wonder if it has anything to do with the way they’re being trained? A “shoot to kill” policy does not fit every situation. They could use a tazer if they feel that threatened by an innocent dog. At least Chole would have lived and much grief spared the owner.

#4 Comment By concerned_dog_owner On November 29, 2013 @ 11:08 pm

The raw video footage clearly shows that the dog was minding her own business. Then 3 officers were surrounding her, as if they were in a stand-off with an armed criminal. Then they tazed her. This is an act of violence, and coming out of nowhere. The video clearly shows that the police officers were the first to bring violence into the situation. The catchpole was then put on Chloe when she was temporarily incapacitated. Realize that she had just been ATTACKED, of course she would now react by thrashing around on the catchpole. Wouldn’t anyone do the same who had just been cornered and attacked and now being put under even more attack.

Then it can be seen from the video that Officer Robert Price then shot her for the first time. She whirled around from this first shot, which is understandable given that she must have been in a lot of pain and terror or maybe it was the force of the shot that made her body spin around. Then Officer Price shoots her several more times as she is clearly trying in vain to flee, at no time at all was she trying to attack anyone. Finally she collapsed and was motionless. This video shows clearly a peaceful animal being cornered, violently assaulted and then killed in cold blood. That terrified dog on the catchpole was no match against Officer Robert Price’s gun.

A dog who doesn’t know you, and is barking at you because you are approaching it (especially on its territory) is NOT being aggressive, it is asking you to just go away and leave it alone. That is just common sense. The video shows that the police officers were the first to bring violence into the situation that up until then had been peaceful. Officer Price escalated the situation and then resolved it by the use of even more violence. I am appalled that he shows no remorse or questions his judgment. A jury may have acquitted him of animal cruelty charges, but I would hope he does the ethical thing of resigning from his position, turning in his firearm, or at the very least be decent enough to apologize to Chloe’s distraught family and admit that he wrongfully killed her.

As someone who has found and peacefully caught many dogs wandering loose (including large dogs, some of whom were pit bulls), by taking some time to gain their trust so the animal willingly comes to you and cooperates, and then reunited them with their owners or took them to the local humane society, or sheltered them in my house until their owners could be found, I find it absurd and appalling that some police officers are so afraid of dogs. People who are so easily frightened should not be walking around carrying guns. Who will be the next innocent victim of this trigger-happy officer?